President Of National Treasury Employees Union Chapter Indicted For Failing To Report Loans And Disbursements

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal grand jury handed down a three-count felony indictment charging Jonathon Ortino with making false statements to a government agency, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) Special Agent in Charge Amanda Thandi, and U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards (DOL OLMS) Supervisory Investigator Kenric Michel.

According to the indictment filed March 26, 2019, and unsealed earlier today, Ortino, 45, of San Bruno, CA, was the president of the National Treasury Employees Union, Chapter 165.  As the president of the union chapter, Ortino was required periodically to file documents with the U.S. Department of Labor disclosing financial information regarding the union, including loans and disbursements made to the union’s officers.  The indictment alleges Ortino filed documents that knowingly omitted loans, allowances, and disbursements made by the union, at least some of the proceeds of which he received.  The indictment charges Ortino with three counts of making false statements to a government agency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2).

Ortino made his initial federal court appearance this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley.  He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was released on bond.  Ortino’s next appearance, a status conference before U.S. District Judge William Orrick, is scheduled for April 25, 2019.   

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years for each count in the indictment.  However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.  

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Vieira is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kimberly Richardson.  This case is brought as a result of an investigation by DHS OIG and the DOL OLMS.